Numismatic Crime Information Center needs help from those that ship through Albany NY

knightem

Just received this email from NCIC:

RE: Albany, NY Postal Facility

Several packages processed through the Albany, NY postal facility have been reported as being delivered with the contents missing. We are looking for any dealer/collector who has had similar problems with this facility.

Anyone with information please contact:
Doug Davis
817-723-7231
doug@numismaticcrimes.org

LanceNewmanOCC

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while i have no info regarding packages or this facility, i do wish to say that this type of "crime" has much bigger implications. was it really random that valuables of this type came up missing from one, few or several packages?

once someone learns of a shipper/receiver, a bigger problem exists and as far as i'm concerned, the seller/receiver should step up security of their shop, home etc.

my motto about criminals,"once they learn whom you are, where you live, they don't unlearn."

we've all read/seen/know people that have been at their car, home or business when a robbery takes place and the too often dire results when the victim(s) are/is present.
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coindeuce

The Albany, NY FPO is a medium size facility which handles a lot of pre-sorted, metered commercial mail. When I was employed at a coin shop in the immediate area, we shipped a significant number of high value packages through there that were hand delivered by the shop to the commercial mailer section, which is completely segregated from the public service counter. This report from NCIC makes me suspect that there is a dirty Postal or internal contract employee who has specifically targeted these shipments. It ain't random.

LanceNewmanOCC

@coindeuce said:
This report from NCIC makes me suspect that there is a dirty Postal or internal contract employee who has >specifically targeted these shipments. It ain't random.

your comments makes me think that it seems odd/difficult to try and figure out what is in any one package w/o some serious trial and error, tracking of individuals, companies etc. unless coins, numismatics etc gives a hint in the to/from address.

sooooo, my question is, with the advent of more inexpensive scanning technology, magnets etc. could postal resources be used to the protection of mail and the confirmation of which packages have metals, valuables etc? especially a bigger facility where such a cost is justified for the quantity/risk? i guess it is rhetorical really.
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coindeuce

Anyone working in a facility like that who has physical access to the packages and is familiar with the all of the local numismatic enterprise addresses (return) on the package, even if the business name is somewhat disguised, will have ample opportunity to rifle them inside the facility. I was involved in a case 5 years ago where a contract equipment maintenance mechanic was rifling packages right inside a sort facility. He got caught, convicted in Federal Court and served time in the big house.

logger7

I've heard of a number of slow-downs recently for first class and priorities as well as stuff going missing. Options include, working with your own postmaster, filing online complaints, and having your Congressman take up the case. I recently had a mail carrier go "postal" on me yelling profanities. Suffice it to say I did report him, and there are a number of tough arms of the usps like inspectors who take theft seriously, but don't try to open up a case with your local cops in federal issues.

UnclePennyBags

I live in Upstate NY and ship 500+ packages a year but the usually get routed through Rochester or Syracuse.... I have a coin coming from a dealer in Maine that might see Albany in the next day or two, I'll let you know if any issues.

ricko

I live in NYS and have had one package routed through Albany go missing... never found it.... Cheers, RickO